Chase not Practicing

[*Synric*]

(08-25-2024, 09:34 PM)Joelist Wrote: Actually Bates wasn't a big reason; in fact he was not a good system fit here but a better one in Atlanta. Bell was the big loss as he was the one responsible for calling the alignments on the defense. Notice that both safeties they got (Bell and Stone) are football savvy and knowledgeable. And we saw it in preseason and camp - when they were in the big plays basically disappeared. 

Last year even without Jessie Bates the Bengals were 5th in the NFL using cover 1. Over the last 4 years the Bengals have been at least top 3 in cover 1. Jessie Bates is the best post safety in the NFL it would be really hard to find a better scheme fit.


PS. Lou said losing BOTH safeties was a big part of the breakdown in communication.